Lessons in Punk

Okay, so I've realized that there are many misconceptions of punk and the whole scene.

I've fallen victim to these misconceptions. I think these misconceptions came from the old punks (1977-1985) they tell all their glory day stories and make it sound like so much more than it actually was.

I just went to my first real underground concert (no i don't mean, some indie band, i mean real DIY underground) it was in a place about the size of a classroom, it was the floor above an anarchist book store. (nuff said?)

firstly, there was no hostility there at all. me and my friend got there and we got one of two reactions
a) people didn't take notice to us
b) they chatted with us in between sets, asked us which band we were there to see, etc, etc

no drugs - punks aren't hardcore heroin users or whatever misconceptions you have, the whole place did NOT reek of weed. if there were drugs there, then they weren't in my face

yes there was beer, yes there were people pissed drunk, but there wasn't any violence-- everyone was there to have a good time, why would they ruin that by getting kicked out or busted up?

punks have jobs, go to school, live at home.
yeah, a few punks are "street bums" and even those guys are pretty chill, i've talked to a couple
guess where i met the band i went to see? SCHOOL. i'm in college, so punks are stupid drop-outs . . .and how do you think punks pay to get into these shows?

they're not hung up about sell-out bands, or bands that have breached mainstream
met this awesome guy, who was wearing a Dropkick Murphey's sweater, bassist in the band i went to see was wearing a Rancid shirt . . .nobody gives a shit

about "punk hair" and punk style. yeah we jazz it up for shows but that's cuz we can, once a week we get to let loose and slam in a pit, might as well look good doing it. besides, its not like an 8 inch mohawk and fishnets are work acceptable. . . .so they gotta have someplace to dress the way they want.

they don't exclude others . . .there was a girl there who looked like a barbie, no one gave a shit, i talked to her and she seemed cool, not at all "punk" tho (attitude, style, otherwise)

all in all, its just like a bunch of friends hanging out. its not some organized crime thing, just normal people. its like going to a dance club on a friday night or going to a party. fun as can be but no big woop